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Govt to enforce TDSAT ruling on limiting WLL services
New Delhi, Oct 12: The Group of Ministers on telecom today decided to restrict WLL mobile services within local call area known as SDCA, as ruled by the telecom tribunal.
New Delhi, Oct 12: The Group of Ministers on telecom today decided to restrict WLL mobile services within local call area known as SDCA, as ruled by the telecom tribunal.
"Government will enforce the TDSAT ruling that WLL services be limited to SDCA and necessary steps will be taken soon in this regard," Communications and IT Minister Arun Shourie told reporters after the meeting.
Shourie, however, did not specify the time frame to implement the TDSAT ruling which, in its last two judgements, had said that WLL mobile service should be distinct from the cellular services. He said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) was also working in this connection and "we will ensure that these services (WLL) are restricted within the SDCA (short distance charging area)," Shourie said. On the proposed unification of basic and cellular licences, Shourie said the GoM would await Trai`s recommendations in this regard before taking a final view on the structure of the unified licence regime.
"We hope that Trai will give its recommendations before October 30. Meanwhile, a detailed discussion has taken place on the transition period and terms and conditions for the proposed regime," he added.
The group also took a decision to release some quantum of the spectrum within a month as the Ministry of Defence has given its nod.
Shourie, however, did not specify the quantum but said that the spectrum would be released for use of both cellular and WLL services.
"At this moment no cellular or WLL operator is suffering from want of spectrum," he pointed out.
The group is slated to meet next on October 30. Today`s meeting was attended by all the members, including External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Law Minister Arun Jaitley besides Shourie.
Bureau Report
Shourie, however, did not specify the time frame to implement the TDSAT ruling which, in its last two judgements, had said that WLL mobile service should be distinct from the cellular services. He said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) was also working in this connection and "we will ensure that these services (WLL) are restricted within the SDCA (short distance charging area)," Shourie said. On the proposed unification of basic and cellular licences, Shourie said the GoM would await Trai`s recommendations in this regard before taking a final view on the structure of the unified licence regime.
"We hope that Trai will give its recommendations before October 30. Meanwhile, a detailed discussion has taken place on the transition period and terms and conditions for the proposed regime," he added.
The group also took a decision to release some quantum of the spectrum within a month as the Ministry of Defence has given its nod.
Shourie, however, did not specify the quantum but said that the spectrum would be released for use of both cellular and WLL services.
"At this moment no cellular or WLL operator is suffering from want of spectrum," he pointed out.
The group is slated to meet next on October 30. Today`s meeting was attended by all the members, including External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Law Minister Arun Jaitley besides Shourie.
Bureau Report